Window-cleaning robot and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a window-cleaning robot and a method for controlling the same. The robot includes: a body; a vacuum suction port disposed on the body; a suction detector configured to detect a vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suction port; a light-emitting assembly disposed on the body, a light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly being configured corresponding to the vacuum suction value; and a controller, connected with the suction detector and the light-emitting assembly respectively and configured to light all or a part of light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly according to the vacuum suction value, for reminding the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED ART

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application SerialNo. 201620049765.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office ofP. R. China on Jan. 19, 2016, and Chinese Patent Application Serial No.201610033578.6, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of P.R. China on Jan. 19, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of electrical appliancetechnology, and more particularly relates to a window-cleaning robot anda method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND

The popularity of window-cleaning robots has brought much conveniencefor people. A vacuum suction port is generally disposed at a middleposition of a bottom of the window-cleaning robot in the related art. Asuction motor drives a fan to rotate with high-speed and then vacuum isgenerated via the vacuum suction port, such that the robot may suck onthe window. When a vacuum suction force decreases, the robot is likelyto fall off from the window. At this case, a user may be reminded ofpotential dangers by raising an alarm via a state indicator lamp 1′ (asshown in FIG. 1) or a buzzer. However, this reminding manner is notobvious for the user. A visual area of the state indicator lamp isusually small, and the alarm of the buzzer is also possible to loseeffectiveness in noisy environment, thereby being unable to remind theuser effectively.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure aims to solve at least one of the problems in therelated art to some extent.

For this, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, awindow-cleaning robot is provided. The window-cleaning robot includes: abody; a vacuum suction port disposed on the body; a suction detectorconfigured to detect a vacuum suction value generated at the vacuumsuction port; a light-emitting assembly disposed on the body, in which alight-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is configuredcorresponding to the vacuum suction value; and a controller, connectedwith the suction detector and the light-emitting assembly respectivelyand configured to light all or a part of the light-emitting areaaccording to the vacuum suction value.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method forcontrolling a window-cleaning robot is provided, in which alight-emitting assembly is disposed on the window-cleaning robot, andthe method includes: detecting a vacuum suction value generated at avacuum suction port of the window-cleaning robot; and lighting all or apart of a light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly accordingto the vacuum suction value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a window-cleaning robot inthe related art;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a structure of awindow-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of alight-emitting assembly according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram illustrating a transparent display frameaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram illustrating indication signs on an uppercover of a window-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect of alight-emitting assembly according to a specific embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect of alight-emitting assembly according to another specific embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a schematic diagram illustrating a display effect of alight-emitting assembly according to still another specific embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a window-cleaningrobot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail in thefollowing descriptions, examples of which are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which the same or similar elements and elements having sameor similar functions are denoted by like reference numerals throughoutthe descriptions. The embodiments described herein with reference to theaccompanying drawings are explanatory and illustrative, which are usedto generally understand the present disclosure. The embodiments shallnot be construed to limit the present disclosure.

In the following, a window-cleaning robot and a method for controlling awindow-cleaning robot provided by embodiments of the present disclosurewill be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating a structure of awindow-cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the window-cleaning robotaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a body 10, avacuum suction port 20, a suction detector (not shown), a light-emittingassembly 40 and a controller (not shown).

The vacuum suction port 20 is disposed on the body 10.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, the vacuum suction port 20 may bedisposed at a middle position of a bottom of the body 10.

The suction detector 30 detects a vacuum suction value generated at thevacuum suction port 20.

The light-emitting assembly 40 is disposed on the body 10. Alight-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly 40 is configuredcorresponding to the vacuum suction value.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3A, thelight-emitting assembly 40 includes a plurality of indicator lamps 41.The plurality of indicator lamps 41 may be arranged in a ring shape, ina rectangular shape or in a triangular shape. For example, the pluralityof indicator lamps 41 may be arranged in a ring shape, as shown in FIG.3A.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in an embodiment of the present disclosure,the body 10 includes an upper cover 11 and a transparent display frame12 (as shown in FIG. 3B) disposed on the upper cover 12. Thelight-emitting assembly 40 is disposed below the transparent displayframe 12.

As shown in FIG. 3C, indication signs (for example, low suction force,middle suction force and high suction force) may be set on the uppercover 11 and configured to indicate a level of the vacuum suction value.

The controller is connected with the suction detector and thelight-emitting assembly 40 respectively. The controller is configured tolight all or a part of the light-emitting area of the light-emittingassembly 40 according to the vacuum suction value.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a lighted part of thelight-emitting area is in direct proportion to the vacuum suction value.In other words, the greater the vacuum suction value is, the greaterpart of the light-emitting area is lighted.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, a filled circle refers to alighted indicator lamp 41. As shown in FIGS. 4A, the controller controlsall of the indicator lamps 41 to light (i.e., the light-emitting area atthis time is corresponding to all of the indicator lamps 41) whendetermining that the vacuum suction value is at a maximum value. Asshown in FIG. 4B, the controller controls half of the indicator lamps 41to light (i.e., the light-emitting area at this time is corresponding tohalf of the indicator lamps 41) when determining that the vacuum suctionvalue is at a middle value. As shown in FIG. 4C, the controller controlsone indicator lamp 41 to light (i.e., the light-emitting area at thistime is corresponding to one indicator lamp 41) when determining thatthe vacuum suction value is at a minimum value. Therefore, thecontroller controls the light-emitting assembly 40 to emit differentlight combinations dynamically when the vacuum suction value of thewindow-cleaning robot changes dynamically. With this display manner, itis convenient for the user to monitor the vacuum suction value in realtime when the window-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing arisk of sudden falling off of the window-cleaning robot, and improvingusing experience of the window-cleaning robot.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the body 10 includes anupper cover 11. The upper cover 11 is made of transparent material. Thelight-emitting assembly 40 is disposed below the upper cover 11.

Specifically, if the upper cover 11 is entirely made of transparentmaterial, the transparent display frame 12 may be not set and thelight-emitting assembly 40 is disposed directly below the upper cover11.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the window-cleaningrobot further includes a voice reminding device (not shown). Thecontroller is further configured to control the voice reminding deviceto raise a voice reminder if the vacuum suction value is less than apreset threshold.

Specifically, when the controller 50 determines that the window-cleaningrobot is likely to fall off (i.e. the vacuum suction value is less thanthe preset threshold), the controller controls the voice remindingdevice 60 to raise the voice reminder, so as to reminder the user ofpotential danger.

With the window-cleaning robot according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the suction detector detects the vacuum suction valuegenerated at the vacuum suction port when the window-cleaning robot isoperating, and the controller lights all or a part of the light-emittingarea of the light-emitting assembly according to the vacuum suctionvalue detected by the suction detector for reminding the user, such thatthe user may monitor the vacuum suction value in real time when thewindow-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing a risk of suddenfalling of the window-cleaning robot, and improving using experience ofthe window-cleaning robot.

In order to realize the above embodiments, embodiments of the presentdisclosure also provide a method for controlling a window-cleaningrobot.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a window-cleaningrobot according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Alight-emitting assembly is disposed on the window-cleaning robot. Asshown in FIG. 5, the method for controlling a window-cleaning robotaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes followingsteps.

In step S1, a vacuum suction value generated at a vacuum suction port ofthe window-cleaning robot is detected.

For example, the vacuum suction port may be disposed at a middleposition of a bottom of the body. A suction motor drives a fan to rotatewith high-speed and then vacuum is generated via the vacuum suctionport, such that the window-cleaning robot may suck on the window.

Specifically, the vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suctionport of the window-cleaning robot is detected in real time when thewindow-cleaning robot is operating.

In step S2, all or a part of a light-emitting area of the light-emittingassembly is lighted according to the vacuum suction value.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3A, thelight-emitting assembly includes a plurality of indicator lamps Theplurality of indicator lamps may be arranged in a ring shape, in arectangular shape or in a triangular shape.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, in an embodiment of the present disclosure,the window-cleaning robot includes an upper cover and a transparentdisplay frame (as shown in FIG. 3B) disposed on the upper cover. Thelight-emitting assembly is disposed below the transparent display frame.

As shown in FIG. 3C, indication signs (for example, low suction force,middle suction force and high suction force) may be set on the uppercover and configured to indicate a level of the value of the vacuumsuction force.

Specifically, when the window-cleaning robot is operating, acorresponding light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly islighted according to the detected vacuum suction value, for remindingthe user. In an embodiment, a lighted part of the light-emitting area isin direct proportion to the vacuum suction value. In other words, thegreater the vacuum suction value is, the greater part of thelight-emitting area is lighted.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, a filled circle refers to alighted indicator lamp. As shown in FIGS. 4A, the controller controlsall of the indicator lamps to light (i.e., the light-emitting area atthis time is corresponding to all of the indicator lamps) whendetermining that the vacuum suction value is at a maximum value. Asshown in FIG. 4B, the controller controls half of the indicator lamps tolight (i.e., the light-emitting area at this time is corresponding tohalf of the indicator lamps) when determining that the vacuum suctionvalue is at a middle value. As shown in FIG. 4C, the controller controlsone indicator lamp to light (i.e., the light-emitting area at this timeis corresponding to one indicator lamp) when determining that the vacuumsuction value is at a minimum value. Therefore, the controller controlsthe light-emitting assembly to emit different light combinationsdynamically when the vacuum suction value of the window-cleaning robotchanges dynamically. With this display manner, it is convenient for theuser to monitor the vacuum suction value in real time when thewindow-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing a risk of suddenfalling off of the window-cleaning robot, and improving using experienceof the window-cleaning robot.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the window-cleaningrobot includes an upper cover. The upper cover is made of transparentmaterial. The light-emitting assembly is disposed below the upper cover.

Specifically, if the upper cover is entirely made of transparentmaterial, the transparent display frame may be not set, and thelight-emitting assembly 40 is disposed directly below the upper cover.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the method forcontrolling a window-cleaning robot further includes: issuing a voicereminder if the vacuum suction value is less than a preset threshold.

Specifically, when the window-cleaning robot is likely to fall off (i.e.the vacuum suction value is less than the preset threshold), thewindow-cleaning robot is controlled to issue the voice reminder, so asto reminder the user of potential danger.

With the method for controlling a window-cleaning robot of embodimentsof the present disclosure, when the window-cleaning robot is operating,the vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suction port isdetected and the corresponding light-emitting area of the light-emittingassembly is lighted according to the detected value, such that the usermay monitor the value of the vacuum suction force in real time when thewindow-cleaning robot is operating, thereby reducing a risk of suddenfalling off of the window-cleaning robot, and improving using experienceof the window-cleaning robot.

In the specification, unless specified or limited otherwise, relativeterms such as “central”, “longitudinal”, “lateral”, “front”, “rear”,“right”, “left”, “inner”, “outer”, “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”,“vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “top”, “bottom” as well asderivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”,etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then describedor as shown in the drawings under discussion for simplifying thedescription of the present disclosure, but do not alone indicate orimply that the device or element referred to must have a particularorientation. They cannot be seen as limits to the present disclosure.

In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein forpurposes of description and are not intended to indicate or implyrelative importance or significance. Thus, the feature defined with“first” and “second” may comprise one or more this feature. In thedescription of the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means two ormore, unless specified otherwise.

In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understoodthat, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,”“connected,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly andencompass such as mechanical or electrical mountings, connections andcouplings, also can be inner mountings, connections and couplings of twocomponents, and further can be direct and indirect mountings,connections, and couplings, which can be understood by those skilled inthe art according to the detail embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the description of the present disclosure, a structure in which afirst feature is “on” a second feature may include an embodiment inwhich the first feature directly contacts the second feature, and mayalso include an embodiment in which an additional feature is formedbetween the first feature and the second feature. Furthermore, a firstfeature “on,” “above,” or “on top of” a second feature may include anembodiment in which the first feature is right “on,” “above,” or “on topof” the second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which thefirst feature is not right “on,” “above,” or “on top o” of the secondfeature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher thanthat of the second feature. While a first feature “beneath,” “below,” or“on bottom of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which thefirst feature is right “beneath,” “below,” or “on bottom of” the secondfeature, and may also include an embodiment in which the first featureis not right “beneath,” “below,” or “on bottom of” the second feature,or just means that the first feature is at a height lower than that ofthe second feature.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment”, “someembodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an example”, “a specific examples”, or“some examples” means that a particular feature, structure, material, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example isincluded in at least one embodiment or example of the disclosure. Thus,the appearances of the phrases such as “in some embodiments”, “in oneembodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “an example”, “a specific examples”, or“some examples” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of thedisclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials,or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments or examples.

Although explanatory embodiments have been shown and described, it wouldbe appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes, alternatives,and modifications may be made in the embodiments without departing fromspirit and principles of the disclosure. Such changes, alternatives, andmodifications all fall into the scope of the claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A window-cleaning robot, comprising: a body; avacuum suction port disposed on the body; a suction detector configuredto detect a vacuum suction value generated at the vacuum suction port; alight-emitting assembly disposed on the body, wherein a light-emittingarea of the light-emitting assembly is configured corresponding to thevacuum suction value; and a controller, connected with the suctiondetector and the light-emitting assembly respectively and configured tolight all or a part of the light-emitting area of the light-emittingassembly according to the vacuum suction value.
 2. The window-cleaningrobot according to claim 1, wherein the light-emitting assemblycomprises a plurality of indicator lamps and the plurality of indicatorlamps are arranged in a ring shape, in a rectangular shape or in atriangular shape.
 3. The window-cleaning robot according to claim 2,wherein the body comprises an upper cover and a transparent displayframe disposed on the upper cover, and the light-emitting assembly isdisposed below the transparent display frame.
 4. The window-cleaningrobot according to claim 2, wherein the body comprises an upper cover,the upper cover is made of transparent material, and the light-emittingassembly is disposed below the upper cover.
 5. The window-cleaning robotaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a voice reminding device,configured to issue a voice reminder if the vacuum suction value is lessthan a preset threshold.
 6. The window-cleaning robot according to claim1, wherein, a lighted part of the light-emitting area is in directproportion to the vacuum suction value.
 7. The window-cleaning robotaccording to claim 3, wherein indication signs are set on the uppercover and configured to indicate a level of the vacuum suction value. 8.A method for controlling a window-cleaning robot, wherein, alight-emitting assembly is disposed on the window-cleaning robot and themethod comprises: detecting a vacuum suction value generated at a vacuumsuction port of the window-cleaning robot; and lighting all or a part ofa light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly according to thevacuum suction value.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein thelight-emitting assembly comprises a plurality of indicator lamps and theplurality of indicator lamps are arranged in a ring shape, in arectangular shape or in a triangular shape.
 10. The method according toclaim 8, wherein the window-cleaning robot comprises an upper cover anda transparent display frame disposed on the upper cover, and thelight-emitting assembly is disposed below the transparent display frame.11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the window-cleaning robotcomprises an upper cover, the upper cover is made of transparentmaterial, and the light-emitting assembly is disposed below the uppercover.
 12. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: issuinga voice reminder if the vacuum suction value is less than a presetthreshold.
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein a lighted partof the light-emitting area of the light-emitting assembly is in directproportion to the vacuum suction value.